Wednesday, 22 February 2012

WOYWW #142 - Lots and Lots!!!

Oh my but this carer lark ain't 'arf 'ard!!! Mum was on the floor and very very sick on Sunday morning - not how I wanted to start the day... anyway, suffice to say she was at death's door all day and could not even move her own feet to walk... bit better yesterday and back to old self (boo) today...

But it's an ill wind and all that, so with a REALLY quiet day or two, yours truly has been busy... oh yesh!! So I am very pleased to see you here hot foot from (or to) the blog of Julia, who runs this whole showing-your-desk lark!! Your lovely comments keep me sane - well, relatively!! tee hee...

Without more ado, get a cuppa and take a longer ride, cos I have a lot of photos to show you and I hope you enjoy... I will endeavour not to chat TOO much!!!

Firstly I wanna show you my TIO challenge entry for this coming fortnight... it's a book title chosen by Wanda, called "Bird Song", set in WW1... Here the background tag is made and I am starting on the birdie... you all know I LOVE working with this die!!

He is about done now, and even has an ickle black beady eye!!! Awww... Chirpy chirpy...

Here's the full monty, "money shot"... the whole desk, still reasonably tidy from last week, with only out what I am using... the biggest box in front, here, is of my embossing powders!! wot a lot I got???

WW1... I wanted a vintage feel for this one, so it is almost monchrome - can you have "almost monochrome"?? Is that like being almost pregnant??!! Anyway, it's all my brown drawer pf distress inks, plus a tiny bit of spun sugar to warm the tones, and then verdigis on the cage and green on my ickle birdie...

I stamped into the hot powder with a ginkgo leaf stamp, for his feathers and gave him a real metal wing, coloured with rub 'n buff gold and bronze - used it round the tag and on the metal parts too...

I love the way the doily turned out, and the curled metal on the 'dirty' . faded ribbon embellishment, is meant to remind us of barbed wire...

The piece is full of texture and light and shade, mainly from the under-stamping of the other birdies and nests in various colours of DIs... also, the cage is free to move and catch the light...

I am really happy with the way it turned out, and my dream is over with the rest of my teams' tags on TIO... why don't YOU join in this time?? BTW, the under stamps are from two sets by Stamp in the Hand...

And what other goodies can I show you?? Well, I have been VERY busy with my jewellery again, and here it all is below. I have recently splashed out and tried Jewellery Maker for their gems!!!! WOW!! If you are like me and mad for the stuff, then they have the most WONDERFUL gemstones. Reasonable prices for real v glass/plastic/resin!!! So eyes down to see what I got made...

This first piece was made as a sort of commission for one of mum's regular carers... she comes twice a day and is a real help to me too... so I gave it to her instead of selling it!!! Lovely jasper, imperial jasper and amythist. She was delighted!!!

This piece is for me, until I decide not!!! tee hee... I was inspied by those large grey lanterns so I used them again... this time on a beading wire instead of doing my own wire work...

This piece is what inspired the carer to ask me to make for her... it is mainly Vintaj and some beads from my stash... now there IS a LOT of wire work in this one, but I really LOVED doing it... there are ickle diamonds of abalone shell in it and the matching earrings... lovely on the neckline...

And lastly, this is a work in progress... I have used lots of Vintaj again, and had a go at rivetting - using that hammer and block, given to me by the very fragrant Freddie... those of you who visit often will remember me raving over a small, but HEAVY cylinder of steel... well the rivets went in great using it - look...

They are holding in the butterfly and the flower centre... ooo it was REALLY satisfying and I won't tell you what I was thinkig as I hammered!!!!! - too naughty!!!

And lastly, here are the two sides... there are some green gems in this but they did not phot well...I have yet to add chain. I think I will use assymetric chain too, fat at one side and rather more dainty on the other... we'll see...

Well, thanks for sticking it out this far - if you did!! - I made it round a LOT more blogs last week, so I hope to see even MORE of your desks this time... oh, and BTW, Miranda has a date for that bone graft - it will be THIS Thursday, so I shall be caring for my two grandsons again, here, and her when she is out, especially she if can't weight-bear for a while - it's awful hard to carry food and cups of tea whilst hopping with a zimmer!!! - ooo I should'nt laugh but really I think I am getting a little hysterical at the thought of yet more caring to do!!! It will be the early morning school run that will be the killer!!!

Sorry - off now, honest!!
Love and Light
Frankie
xx
I want to enter this piece in a couple of other challenges:-GingerSnap Creations - use only two colours
- #139 use a faux technique

Frankie, you sound like a blessing to your family. They must be so grateful that they can count on you.

your tag is gorgeous. Just love the colours and finishes. I have no idea how you did some of it. I followed up to the gold bird picture. After that, i'n not entirely sure how it ended up so verdigris and gorgeous.

Frankie, I don't know where to start! Sympathise about your mum, LOVE your projects (hope you see my email in time about mine!) and wishing you well for your extra caring after tomorrow... much love, Helen 41.

What would we do with our Wednesdays if it was not for the wonder of WOYWW? It's always fascinating to peek through the window into your creative arena so thank you. Your tag is gorgeous as ever!I Hope you have a good week.Neil (#47 ish)

Amazing tag, the bird is fantastic love all the messy stuff, but my kiddies would be in it all the time so I keep it well hidden and therefore hardly ever play :-( Nevermind I do get to check out the fabulous projects that I find when I am hoppin' about the blogs. I must pop over to TIO as well as have not looked this week, shocking! Hugs heid x

Stunning tag, I love the colours and the combination of 'bits' (for want of a better word). Lovely jewellery as well,Usually have the sound turned off when I browse but not today so I enjoyed your chinese music in the background.

Ann B#55 (was 56 but someone must have got the boot.)I have blog candy if you are interested

Hi Frankie, sounds like you have your plate more than full at the moment and it amazes me that you find the energy to craft, let alone the time. Your tag is lovely, like the 'almost monochrome' colours and love the bird and the verdigrised cage is fab. Hope Miranda does well after her bone graft and that caring for everyone turns out easier than it sounds. Elizabeth x #80

What a great bird project (hey, the jewelry is great too). I love your walk through on how you created him from cutting, embossing, to embellishing. The gingko leaf texture for features was absolutely inspired! Thanks for sharing your almost monochrome project!!! So fun!

The bird and its tag are just gorgeous, not to mention your wonderful jewelry. It sounds like you are up to your eyeballs with loved ones who need your care -- so glad you have your creative pursuits to take your mind off things as needed.

Sorry to read about your mum. Hard work!How on earth you manage to do so much is beyond me - and everything you do is absolutely fabulous. Don't know what to begin commenting on so I'll just say it is all gorgeous.Thanks for sharing on WOYWW - Hugs, Neet #33 xx

hey Frankie. Crafting is the great safety valve so hang in there. I've been a carer and a health professional and none of it's easy. Lovely work and the paper towel makes an unexpectedly pleasing display for your lovely work. Take care, Ros. (103)

Hi FrankieI really enjoyed browsing your post with all the wonderful art and beadwork there. I really feel for you for all the caring you are doing but it will pay off in many ways. Crafting is a good safety valve so keep creating your wonders.Love joZarty x

beautiful works! I am a bit late getting around this week but I forgot to post on Wednesday and have been busy all week. Just wanted to make the rounds and remind everyone my blog candy closes on Tuesday night of next week and I will announce winners on Wednesday. Drop by become a follower and leave a comment for a chance to win. Vickie #173

Looking like wonder-woman from here - how you do it all - I don't know. Wonderful, artful creations Frankie - full of love, originality and fab design details!!! Great pieces - one and all! Thanks for letting us look in, enjoy WOYWW and your week, a late Sarah at 16.

I love love your tag with the bird cage and the technique that you used to get there. I have to have that die cut. Don't you just love Tim holtz. But, your jewelry is gorgeous. So, glad I had time to stop by. I am Joynana #170 at WOYWW.

Frankie, I am new to the group so this has my first time visiting your beautiful work. Your work demonstarates an incredibly keen eye to detail along with a deep understanding that goes beyond the constructs of the challenge. When I further read in your blog that you are a caretaker for your mother, it all started to make sense. I believe that Individuals who lovingly take care of someone in need, acquire the ability to have the insight of that of an "old soul." At times care taking requires you to be able to intuitively just know the needs of your mom. In turn that skill set allows you to look beyond the materials on hand and then create something lovely and believable. Although faux techniques were utilized, the soul of your project is not "faux". Looking at your work, you are transported to a different time and place which is a true gift! Thank you so much for sharing! KayJay

...the work on your Tag is incredible I loVe what you've achieved with the bird, the richness of colour wow...and as for your jewellry just beautiful, your one very talented lady, very inspiring thankyou for sharing with us, i'm now following...Mel :)

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I am pleased to welcome you here, to my adventure. I am happy that you use any ideas as inspiration for yourself, but please remember that all the work, designs and images here are my own, and should not be copied, or reproduced as your own. All rights are reserved 2011. *************************************************************** Please visit my other sites to see more of my work and my challenge site... DragonsDream and DragonsDarkerSide